title: Measuring internalized weight attitudes across body weight categories: validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to validate a modified version of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) that is applicable to individuals across different body weight statuses. One hundred forty-eight men and women completed an online survey that included the WBIS-M and relevant measures of psychopathology. Results indicated that the WBIS-M had high internal consistency and strong construct validity. The WBIS-M also demonstrated significant correlations with body image, eating pathology, self-esteem, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and was associated with these outcomes distinctly from antifat attitudes and body mass index. Implications for the use of this scale in diverse samples are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address: rebecca.pearl@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Pearl
authors.affiliation: Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address: rebecca.puhl@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Puhl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Internalized attitudes; Measurement; Stigma; Weight bias